SNAP4CT Blog

​It's cheaper to eat at home than to eat out. But it may not feel that way if your kitchen lacks some basic tools. Don’t get overwhelmed! You really don’t need fancy equipment to make healthy meals. We’ll help you set up your cooking space so that you eat well and spend less.

Where to Find Inexpensive Kitchen Tools

​Many basic kitchen tools can be purchased at a dollar store or at large discount stores. Oftentimes it is less expensive to buy things in a set. A cookware set that has pots, pans, and serving utensils is often cheaper than buying pieces separately. Yard sales and thrift stores also have very good quality kitchen products for less money. You don’t need to buy everything at once. It helps to set a budget for new kitchen tools or appliances, or to watch for sales.

Multipurpose Kitchen Items - Save Money & Time

Some household basics can have many uses, saving you money and space.

Large Ovenproof/Microwavable Plate – even just a single plate can help you make a variety of meals from sandwiches to salads, pasta dishes, pita pizza, and more.

Coffee Mug – a mug can be used for eating whole grain cereal, or heating oatmeal, soup, or chili, or even making a single portion of a healthy dessert.

Kitchen Shears/Scissors – kitchen scissors allow you to cut veggies, fruits, and even meats, all without needing a cutting board. Just be sure to always clean them thoroughly after using on raw meat.

The Kitchen Basics

Following are some of the most common and useful tools for cooking, serving, and eating healthy meals at home. You don't need everything on these lists, and you don't need large quantities either. In fact, having fewer utensils and tableware actually means less to clean and less to store.
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Appliances

Keeping Your Kitchen Tools Organized

If you have limited storage space, or move a lot, you can put all your kitchen supplies in plastic storage bins. They help keep your tools clean when not in use. And, clear bins help you see where everything is. We have some in our tiny SNAP4CT kitchen that keep us organized.

It can seem expensive to buy kitchen tools. However, it is worth the effort. The health benefits and cost savings of eating healthy meals at home really do add up $$$. Start with a few items and add as you go. Before you know it you'll be a kitchen pro.

The following recipes need just one pot to make...

And, here are recipes that only need one pan or dish...

Chicken broth is so easy to make! Plus, it saves money and reduces wasted food because you make it from leftover chicken and chicken bones.

All you need is a large pot, chicken bones, and some seasonings. The suggested ingredient list can get you started, but don’t worry if you don’t have them all.

We will take you step-by-step as you build your own tasty broth!

NOTE: This works for making turkey broth too. Just use leftover turkey bones instead.​

Chicken Broth Ingredients

Bones from a whole chicken, or chicken thighs (4-5 lbs)

5 carrots

5 ribs of celery

2 leeks (optional)

1 medium onion

1 cup of chopped parsley

3 cloves garlic

​12 cups of water

1. Save your chicken bones

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​​After you've cooked and eaten chicken, save the bones, skin, and everything else you couldn't eat. Put everything in a large pot.

2. Cut up your veggies and seasonings

We used carrots, celery, onions, garlic, leeks, and parsley. You can use anything you have on hand!

​The more veggies and seasonings you add the more flavorful your broth will be. If you don't have these extras that's okay too! ​

3. Place veggies and seasoning in the pot with your chicken bones

​4. Add water and put the pot on the stove

Add enough water to cover all of your ingredients by about 1 inch. We added 12 cups of water to this recipe. Keep in mind that some of your veggies will float! ​

5. Bring to a boil and then simmer

Boil your pot of water, veggies, and chicken for about 20 minutes. Then lower the temperature and let your broth simmer for 1-2 hours. The longer you let your broth simmer the more flavorful it will be. ​

6. Strain your broth

​Let the broth cool a little bit before straining it. Place a colander or mesh wire strainer over another large pot or a large bowl. Pour the broth through your strainer and into the other container so that bones and flavorings are removed.

Services

Support

​This information was funded by the USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - SNAP.SNAP helps low-income people buy nutritious food for a better diet. To get more information contact the CT Department of Social Services at 1 855 626-6632 or www.CT.gov/dss.